My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin

Simon is joined by Glenn Moore for today's Game Club episode discussing the game we've been playing throughout May, former guest of the show Lucas Pope's Return of the Obra Dinn.Throughout the month, Glenn, Simon, and many of you, the listeners, have been playing through the modern classic puzzle game, as chosen by comedy writer Joel Morris on his episode of My Perfect Console.Glenn and Simon discuss their experiences with the game, why the board above Glenn's desk makes him look like a serial killer, Simon's experiences with Elden Ring: Nightreign, and much more.NOTE: This bonus episode is one of the benefits you receive for being a Patreon supporter. Sign up at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsole to listen to all of the Game Club episodes, past and future.

Bennett Foddy is a game designer, moral philosopher, and musician best known for creating challenging games that explore frustration, perseverance, and the nature of play. Originally from Australia, he played bass for the electronic group Cut Copy, then in 2008 came to global recognition with QWOP, a slapstick track-and-field simulation that became an internet sensation. He followed that success with the equally maddening Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy, which sparked viral streaming moments and intense discussions about game difficulty, patience, and our relationship with failure. He taught game design at NYU , and now works full-time as a designer, preparing for the release of an indie open world game, Baby Steps.

Tomm Hulett is a game designer and director who has spent his career championing bold, narrative-driven experiences. While at Konami, he worked on multiple Silent Hill titles, including Book of Memories, a critically acclaimed reimagining of the franchise. On the internet, however, his name became linked with the struggles of later Silent Hill games. This made him the target of intense online harassment—even though many of the series’ creative decisions were out of his hands. Since he left Konami, more than a decade ago, he has worked on beloved cult titles like Contra: Operation Galuga and Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. Today he continues to push storytelling in games in new and unexpected directions as a direct at the California-based studio WayForward Technologies. Mythri GBC SoundtrackMythri GBC Demo Rom

Grentperez is a 23-year-old Filipino-Australian singer-songwriter who has captivated audiences worldwide with his soulful melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Born and raised in Sydney, he began sharing song covers on YouTube at the age of 13, soon amassing more than 100 million views. His 2021 debut single, Cherry Wine” achieved gold certification and topped Spotify's Viral 50 chart in multiple countries. In 2024, he was honoured as Emerging Songwriter of the Year at the Australasian Performing Right Association Awards. Now, with his debut album, Backflips in a Restaurant, he continues to showcase his unique blend of indie pop and R&B.

Alex Kealy is an English stand-up comedian. Born in Hampshire, he studied history at Oxford University, where he assumed the role of music editor on the student newspaper. After graduating, he worked as a researcher for The Institute of Art and Ideas. But the call of the stage proved strong, and in 2016 he debuted his first Edinburgh show, titled “Alex Kealy Is An Idea Whose Time Has Come.”In the years that followed, my guest has taken five more shows to Edinburgh, one of which was described by a critic for The Daily Telegraph as “sharply witty, almost sexily cerebral.” My guest has also worked as a writer for BBC Two's Mock the Week, Radio 4's The News Quiz and The Now Show, and he co-presents the popular music podcast Gigpigs with his friend and fellow comic, Ivo Graham. 

Liam Wong is a Scottish photographer, art director, and game designer. Born in Edinburgh he began his career in the video game industry after graduating from Abertay University. After a stint at Crytek UK, he eventually join Ubisoft Montreal, and there became the youngest director at the company. His work on acclaimed titles like Far Cry 4 helped sharpen his visual storytelling skills, which later influenced his photographic style. While visiting in Tokyo, my guest developed a passion for nighttime photography, drawing inspiration from cyberpunk films as he documented the city’s vibrant yet haunting after-dark scenes. In 2019, he released his debut photobook, TO:KY:OO, a collection of cinematic images that showcase his signature style—rich contrasts, neon lights, and rain-soaked streets. The book was met with critical acclaim. It solidified his reputation as a leading figure in contemporary urban photography, whose instantly recognisable work blurs the lines between reality and fiction.

Guillaume Provost is a game designer, creative director, studio founder and CEO, with a passion for building immersive, story-driven experiences. After working as a programmer for games companies such as Pseudo Interactive and Arkane, in 2009 he founded his own independent studio, Compulsion Games. Under his leadership, the studio gained worldwide attention with its distinctive psychological game We Happy Few, celebrated for its evocative storytelling, unique art direction, and bold narrative choices. Now, my guest’s studio has just released South of Midnight, an action-adventure game set in a fantastical version of the American Deep South, exploring themes of family, healing, and self-discovery.

In this special correspondence edition, Simon reads out your correspondence and answers your questions. What's next for game coverage at The Observer newspaper following its sale to Tortoise? How can we invite fan-favourite guests back on the show? How should you respond when a dodgy man in a pub asks: "What's the damage?" All this and much more. 

Celia Hodent is a French author and former director of user experience at Epic Games. Born in France, she earned her doctorate in psychology in Paris, hoping to become a professional academic. Her childhood love of video games, however, drew her to the games industry, and in 2008 she joined Ubisoft to work on the editorial team. In 2010 she transferred to Ubisoft Montreal to work as user experience coordinator on Rainbow 6 series using her training in cognitive science to help guide the design teams. In 2012 she moved to the US, working as UX lead at LucasArts, then as Director of UX at Epic Games, overseeing user experience on Fortnite. Since 2017 my guest has worked as a UX strategy consultant, publishing several books including “The Gamer’s Brain: How Neuroscience and UX can Impact Video Game Design.”